Cross border cattle rustling fuels beef price increases

rustling has contributed to the recent hike in beef prices.
Beef prices have almost doubled in less than six weeks with the cheapest cut of meat going up from less than US$3 a kg to more than US$5 a kg.
He said that police have since intensified efforts to curb cross border cattle rustling by increasing patrols along the Mozambican border. Most of the stolen cattle from the province are being smuggled through illegal crossing points into the neighbouring country, where they are sold at lucrative prices.
Asst Insp Thando Madhoyo said that they were also holding inter-provincial consultation meetings.
“Besides the increased border patrols, we found it noble to hold inter-provincial meetings concerning the rustling problem.
“The meetings are aimed at exchanging notes on crimes that overlap across provincial boundaries, with cattle rustling being one of them,” said Asst Insp Madhoyo.
He said last week they held an inter-provincial meeting in Chipinge where the issue of cross border cattle rustling was discussed at length.
Asst Insp Madhoyo said there was a disturbing rise in cattle rustling in the country during the festive season.
“We’re concerned that the incidence of rustling increases every festive season.
“Of major concern to us is the fact that once the cattle are smuggled outside the country, it becomes very difficult to trace them,” he said.
Villagers along the border with Mozambique in Mudzi, Mutoko and Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe have been particularly vulnerable to rustling.
Police have intensified efforts to encourage the villagers to set up common communal pens they would take turns to guard overnight.
The Southern Africa Police Commission (SAPCO) has contributed with the extensive training of officers in making effective follow-ups of smuggled cattle.
SAPCO launched the operation against cross border rustling in 2009, with the operation being co-ordinated from Mashonaland East province.
Police have also engaged their Botswana and Zambian counterparts for the same purpose.